Saltburn's bizarre ending explained as viewers are left 'traumatised'

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few days, you'll know all about the hype surrounding the latest film to hit Amazon Prime - Saltburn.

The thriller seems to be all any of us can talk about right now after it first hit the streaming platform on Friday (22 December).

However, it appears the film has left lots of viewers utterly baffled and desperate for some much-need answers to explain all the pecularities peppered throughout.

So, luckily for you, the director of Saltburn herself has explained the film's bizarre ending that has been leaving Amazon Prime viewers completely 'traumatised'.

Check out the official trailer here:

The black comedy, psychological drama boasts a star-studded cast including the likes of Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, Archie Madekwe, and Carey Mulligan.

Written, directed, and produced by Emerald Fennell, the official premise of the film reads: "Struggling to find his place at Oxford University, student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family’s sprawling estate, for a summer never to be forgotten."

And it's clear it's not just Oliver who will never be able to forget the chaotic Saltburn antics, as I'm pretty sure we've all got one particular bathtub scene now seared into our memories forever...

Amazon Prime

While fans have taken no time to praise the 'twisted' and 'disgustingly amazing' thriller, it's clear many were eager for some answers about the ending.

One X user penned: "I legit can’t get over the ending of Saltburn and just the overall movie... like what did I just experience???"

"Saltburn was absolutely insane! Did not expect that ending!" admitted a second.

A third chimed in: "Well.. that Saltburn ending was... something..."

"Me watching Saltburn thinking it would be a cute romance movie and ending up traumatised," revealed a final viewer.

Now, without giving too much away, the film ends with Keoghan prancing about the bonkers Catton family's estate to none other than Sophie Ellis-Bextor's 'Murder On The Dance Floor' totally in the buff.

Amazon Prime

Speaking to GQ about the choice to bring the absolute rollercoaster ride of a movie to the end in that way, Fennell explained the iconic dancing scene was a result of mid-shoot inspo.

"It was always going to be a walk, the exact inverse of Felix's tour [earlier in the film]," she said. "But a naked walk. And then about halfway through filming, I just felt it wouldn't have the evil glee. It had to be an act of desecration, an act of territory taking. It's ownership. 'This is f**king mine. I do whatever I want'."

Fennell continued: "It's not going to be, like, the forever victory. It's sort of a depressing victory, even for Oliver.

"But in that moment, we need to love him. I like the audience to be complicit."

Amazon Prime

When asked if there were any other alternative endings in mind, the director responded: "No, no, because I don't really work like that.

"I think it's a happy ending, [but] the happiest ending [for Oliver] would of course be with him and Felix married, living there together.

"I think that in his mind, and in my mind, that would be the dream. That dream is not possible. So, therefore, this is the best of a bad bunch of options."

Saltburn is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime.